18 Albums To Get Excited About In October

Arcade Fire – ‘Reflektor’

Arcade Fire – ‘Reflektor’ James Murphy and Arcade Fire? Albums have rarely promised so much. The follow-up to 2010’s ‘The Suburbs’ is a double that will be released via Merge Records on 28 October. The band have already debuted a number of tracks, including the mammoth title track featuring David Bowie, ‘After Life’, ‘Here Comes The Night’, ‘We Exist’ and ‘Normal Person’.

2/18

Islet – ‘Released By The Movement’

Islet – ‘Released By The Movement’ The new nine-track album from the South Wales four-piece comes out on 7 October on Mark Daman Thomson’s own Shape Records. ‘Tripping Through The Blue Room (Part 2)’ has already gone down a storm on NME.COM and on the day of release, the band will host the first ever in-store album release live session at Spillers Records in Cardiff.

3/18

Laurel Halo – ‘Chance Of Rain’

Laurel Halo – ‘Chance Of Rain’ This album follows Laurel Halo’s two critically acclaimed EPs, ‘Behind The Green Door’ and ‘Sunlight On The Faded’. As the story goes, ‘Chance Of Rain’ will explore the intersection between rhythmic and ambient music. It’s out on 28 October.

4/18

Omar Souleyman – ‘Wenu Wenu’

Omar Souleyman – ‘Wenu Wenu’ Artist Spencer Sweeney has designed the eye-catching cover for Syria’s Omar Souleyman’s new album, which will be released on 21 October through Ribbon Music. ‘Wenu Wenu’ is produced by Four Tet and – as well as the standard formats – comes out on good old-fashioned cassette.

5/18

Parquet Courts – ‘Tally All The Things That You Broke EP’

Parquet Courts – ‘Tally All The Things That You Broke EP’ One of 2013’s most exciting band’s release this new five-track EP on What’s Your Rapture? Records. Parquet Courts recently mailed out 250 cassette mixtapes to fans, which included a phone number, where you can leave a voicemail message for the group.

6/18

Only Real – ‘Days In The City EP’

Only Real – ‘Days In The City EP’ West Londoner Only Real, aka Niall Galvin, will be releasing his debut EP, ‘Days In The City’, on 7 October via Luv Luv Luv Records. Written and demoed in his bedroom on a laptop without an ‘f’ key, the four track EP is preceded by ‘Get it On’.

7/18

Lorde – ‘Pure Heroine’

Lorde – ‘Pure Heroine’ One of the most hotly anticipated debuts of the year comes from New Zealand singer Lorde. The 16-year-old, whose real name is Ella Yelich-O’Connor, co-wrote the album with producer Joel Little. Naturally it includes ‘Royals’.

8/18

Giggs – ‘When Will It Stop’

Giggs – ‘When Will It Stop’ The new album from Peckham rapper Giggs is set to drop on 14 October on XL Recordings. The 13-track album follows the release of the Mark Ronson and Tone P-produced single ‘(Is It Gangsta?) Yes Yes Yes’ and will feature a collaboration with Ed Sheeran on new track ‘Play It Loud’.

9/18

Sleigh Bells – ‘Bitter Rivals’

Sleigh Bells – ‘Bitter Rivals’ Following their second LP ‘Reign Of Terror’, guitarist Derek Miller says new album ‘Bitter Rivals’ was inspired by moving on and overcoming his father’s death and his mother being diagnosed with cancer. The album is set to drop on 7 October.

10/18

Paul McCartney – ‘New’

Paul McCartney – ‘New’ The millionth studio album from The Beatles legend is released on 14 October and is his first album of original solo material in six years. ‘New’ sees Macca collaborating with an intriguing range of producers, including Mark Ronson, Ethan Johns, Paul Epworth and Giles – son of George – Martin.

11/18

Kwes – ‘ILP’

Kwes – ‘ILP’ Released through Warp on 14 October, Kwes’s new album follows last year’s ‘Meantime EP’, features new single ’36’ and has got the wires buzzing.

12/18

Anna Calvi – ‘One Breath’

Anna Calvi – ‘One Breath’ Recorded in Black Box Studios in France, ‘One Breath’ is a more personal record than its Mercury- and Brit-nominated predecessor. The new 11-track album will drop on 7 October on Domino Records, with the first 500 pre-ordered copies signed by Anna.

13/18

Pusha T – ‘My Name Is My Name’

Pusha T – ‘My Name Is My Name’ The US rapper is set to release his debut solo studio album on 8 October on GOOD Music and Def Jam Recordings. ‘My Name Is My Name’ is produced by Kanye West and features starry appearances from Chris Brown, Kelly Rowland and Pharrell. Always Pharrell.

14/18

Wolf Alice – ‘Blush’

Wolf Alice – ‘Blush’ ‘Blush’ is the debut EP from the NME favourites, released via Chess Club Records on 7 October. There’s a chance to catch Wolf Alice too when they play a string of dates with Swim Deep as well as their own London headline date at Dingwalls in Camden on 30 October.

15/18

Albert Hammond Jr – AHJ

Albert Hammond Jr – AHJ Strokes man Albert Hammond Jr’s new EP is set to see the light of day on 8 October on his old pal Julian Casablancas’ Cult Records. The five-track EP reportedly strikes a confessional note and also features this brilliant artwork.

16/18

Poliça – ‘Shulamith’

Poliça – ‘Shulamith’ This second album has high standards to meet when it comes out on 22 October. It features Bon Iver collaboration ‘Tiff’ and can be purchased alongside a limited-edition 24×24 lithograph signed by the band, or an exclusive 32-page book comprised of lyrics and handwritten notes from the band. What are you waiting for?

17/18

Tim Hecker – ‘Virgins’

Tim Hecker – ‘Virgins’ The follow up to 2011’s ‘Ravedeath 1972’ comes out on 14 October on Kranky Records. ‘Virgins’ was recorded live last year in studios in Reykjavik, Montreal and Seattle, and it’ll be preceded by a vinyl reissue of Hecker’s 2004 album ‘Mirages’.

18/18

Radkey – ‘Devil Fruit EP’

Radkey – ‘Devil Fruit EP’ The trio of brothers from Missouri are back with their second EP, ‘Devil Fruit’. Slated for release on 14 October through Little Man Records, it coincides with the band’s first full UK tour which kicks off on 1 October with fellow sibling-outfit Drenge on board as well.